Logan 450-1 Artist Elite Mat Cutter

Logan first introduced the 450 Intermediate+ Mat Cutter (originally the Model 401) in 1998. Offering full-size (40") capacity and a unique, heavy-duty pull-style bevel cutting head, the Intermediate+ is known by artists around the world as an easy, accurate, and value-priced mat cutting system.

Logan's next-generation Model 450-1 Artist Elite Mat Cutter offers even more features, at the same price as the original 450!

Also included are a new adjustable-depth pivoting straight cutter, aluminum channel guides, and a removable 20" (51 cm) measuring bar with a production stop for the straight cutter. The squaring bar holds matboards at a 90° angle for straight cutting. Two guiderail stops are also included for production cutting.

I have been using this mat cutter for about a month now; it is easy and straight forward to use, with a little bit of a learning curve (I did waste part of one 32x40 mat the first time out ;)) Change your blades frequently and you should have no problems. I did have the advantage of taking a framing and matting class where we got to use a Logan cutter, that helped me to choose this mat cutter over some of the others.

Have not had a chance to do any major project but the few I have went well. Easy set up.. Just remember to separate the blades as they are thin and I did not realize there were two so took a while to load the cutter.

As an artist, purchasing a matt cutter was a no-brainer as it has already paid for itself with just the matting and framing of two drawings. This is a great deal and I would recommend this product. The only downside that I found was that I felt it would have been helpful to have a DVD of product usage included in the box instead of expecting the purchaser to download the informational DVD on the computer. Not everyone has a good working computer. But, all in all, I am quite pleased.

Because I do my own art work and mat; I am shocked at myself for not investing in it years ago. Best investment I have made. I am sure it will pay for itself. The nice thing is, I can do custom cuts. No more waisting art paper to make fit into pre cut mats. It did take 2 of us to put it together; but we did.

This "do-it-yourself" video explains all the steps of cutting a professional looking mat for your artwork. We begin by showing you a simple formula for measuring a window opening for perfectly even sides — and the best practices for getting clean edges when cutting your matboard.